Unleashing a New Export Market: Tapping into a $2 Trillion Opportunity.

The Vietnamese government has issued a dispatch, No. 4169/VPCP-KTTH, conveying the Prime Minister’s instructions on information, press, and public opinion related to the direction and administration of the government.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop a plan to promote the export of Halal food.

What opportunities does Vietnam have in the Halal food market?

The Halal food market, catering to the dietary requirements of Muslims, presents a significant opportunity for exporters. With an estimated global Muslim population of 2 billion, representing 25% of the world’s total population, the demand for Halal food is substantial. Southeast Asia, in particular, has the largest Muslim population worldwide, comprising approximately 42% of the region’s total population.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global Muslim community’s expenditure on Halal food is projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2024 and an impressive $15 trillion by 2050.

Despite this market’s potential, only 10% of the demand for Halal food is currently being met, presenting a considerable opportunity for Vietnamese exporters to tap into this market.

While the potential of the Halal market has been recognized in recent years, it has gained more attention as traditional export markets for Vietnam, such as the United States, have tightened their import policies.

At the recent Trade Promotion Conference with the Vietnamese trade offices abroad in March 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and related units focused their discussions on the topic of “Trade Promotion to Explore the Global Halal Product Market.”

At this conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasized the potential of the global Halal market, valued at $2 trillion, for Vietnamese exports. He asserted that this market deserves significant attention and efforts to capture a substantial market share.

“With a total market value of $2 trillion, even a 10% market share would bring immense value. If we strive to maintain our current growth rate, Vietnam’s exports could capture a significant share of the global Halal market within the next five years,” the Deputy Minister predicted.

What are the challenges in entering the Halal food market?

Vietnam, with its annual agricultural exports exceeding $50 billion, is already one of the world’s leading food suppliers. However, the country is not yet among the top 20-30 global suppliers of Halal food.

The Halal food market has specific requirements, including Halal certification, which ensures that food products do not contain any substances prohibited by Islamic law and that they are produced with adherence to Islamic guidelines, including humane treatment of animals.

Currently, nearly 1,000 Vietnamese businesses have obtained Halal certification, and over 20 export products are Halal-certified. However, as Mr. Zafer Gedikli, President of the World Halal Council, pointed out, Vietnamese businesses face challenges in understanding Halal requirements, from sourcing raw materials to processing and packaging.

For instance, adding a few drops of alcohol to a sauce in a Vietnamese restaurant may be commonplace, but it is forbidden for Muslims. Mr. Gedikli also emphasized that for Muslims, only meat from animals slaughtered according to Islamic rituals can be consumed.

Mr. Gedikli stressed the need for government agencies, industry associations, and businesses to invest in raising awareness about Halal requirements, simplifying the certification process, and actively promoting Vietnamese Halal products in the international market.